<< 2016-17 Los Angeles Lakers | 2018-19 Los Angeles Lakers >>

The Los Angeles Lakers rebuild hit its pinnacle in 2017-18, as their entire roster was centered around a core of young players. In the offseason, the Lakers parted ways with D’Angelo Russell by sending him to the Brooklyn Nets, but kept just about everyone else.

In 2017-18, it was Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Larry Nance Jr., Brandon Ingram, Ivica Zubac, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Josh Hart bringing hope to Lakers fans who hadn’t seen the playoffs in four years.

Finally, the Lakers had fielded a competitive roster. And despite making some in-season trades to clear up cap room, they won 35 games, their best season in several years. They would miss the postseason for the fifth straight season.

Almost nothing happening outside of the Golden State Warriors arena mattered as they were clearly the best team once again. LeBron James carried a bad Cleveland Cavaliers team to the Finals for the fourth straight year — his eighth straight overall — but they lost in four games. The Warriors now had three titles in four seasons.

Roster

NBA regular season statistics

NBA regular season schedule and results

NBA playoffs statistics

NBA playoffs schedule and results